Socioeconomic divide drives major gap in Australian diets

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has exposed a stark socioeconomic divide in national dietary habits, revealing that sugar-sweetened beverage consumption is 26% higher in the country’s most disadvantaged areas compared to the national average.

The report highlights a disparity in nutritional intake, with those in the most disadvantaged 20% of the population also purchasing substantially fewer fruits and vegetables.

According to Linda Fardell, ABS Head of Health Statistics, this trend reverses in more affluent regions, where shoppers purchase 29% fewer sugary drinks than the average Australian.

The findings indicate that added sugars account for 13% of total dietary energy in the most disadvantaged quintile, compared to 10% in the least disadvantaged areas.

Fresh produce purchases were also roughly 30% to 33% higher in wealthier postcodes.

While total dairy intake remained consistent across demographics, the composition varied; lower-income areas favoured dairy milk, whereas higher-income households purchased significantly more yoghurt, cheese, and dairy milk substitutes—the latter being 67% more common in the least disadvantaged quintile.

Geographical factors also played a role in beverage choices, with soft drink consumption 54% higher in very remote regions than in major cities.

Bottled water consumption peaked in these remote areas, sitting 74% higher than in metropolitan hubs, suggesting that remoteness and socioeconomic status remain primary drivers of Australian dietary patterns and grocery trolley composition.